The director of a school in western Yemen’s Taiz Governorate that was heavily mined by Houthi militias has finally been cleared, allowing students to pursue their studies.
Al-Amal School in Al-Safalia in Mawza district served as a Houthi stronghold when the militants controlled the area. Huge parts of the buildings were destroyed, while the surrounding area was completely mined, according to Thabet Al-Za’tari, the school’s director.
For two years, Al-Za’tari said, no one could come close to the school, fearing landmines planted in and around the facility.
“We agonisingly searched for alternative places to teach children during the crisis,” Al-Za’tari told Project Masam.
The director confirmed Masam’s Team 23 removed six landmines planted by the school gate, and worked to clear the building and its surroundings to ensure no landmine was left.
Al-Za’tari thanked Project Masam for bringing life and students back to the school, where education staff have now resumed educational activities without the threat of landmines.
In his address, Al-Za’tari wished Masam’s teams good luck in their humanitarian landmine clearance exercise as they continue to clear Yemen from explosive hazards.
This comes as Team 23 also announced it successfully secured 18 water wells in Al-Safalia – vital water sources in the area.
